Just as everyone was getting mildly comfortable with all things electric-vehicle related, prepare for your minds to be bent in a completely different direction.
Reuters reports that electric aircraft maker Eve and Blade Air Mobility are expanding their partnership to integrate Eve's upcoming flying car into Blade's European route network, starting with France.
The deal follows similar agreements between the firms, which are currently participating in the Paris Airshow, to use Eve's electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) in India and the United States.
Eve is controlled by Brazilian plane maker, Embraer, and expects to start commercial operations of its vehicle in 2026.
Eve and Blade said in a statement that under their new memorandum of understanding, Blade would focus on developing practical applications for air mobility, including identifying future routes in France and other European countries.
They did not say if the deal would involve new eVTOL purchases by Blade, whose current European operations include flying conventional helicopters between Nice and Monaco.
Eve and Blade last year agreed to deploy up to 200 electric aircraft in India, after also signing a letter of intent for operations in the US, where Eve expects to provide up to 60 vehicles a year.
"Extending our partnership with Eve underscores Blade's commitment to leading the transition from conventional to electric vertical aircraft," Blade Chief Executive Officer, Rob Wiesenthal, says.
Eve holds a backlog of nearly 2 800 orders before starting production, with development backed by investors such as United Airlines and Rolls-Royce.
The firm recently announced the first equipment suppliers for its eVTOLs and expects to start building its first full-scale prototype in the second half. Additional testing is planned for 2024.
Eve CEO, André Stein, said he expected the extended partnership with Blade to allow the companies to combine expertise and resources to make travel more accessible and drive environmental improvements.
ZF Aftermarket has named Maic Dressen as Managing Director of ZF Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd and Sub-regional Head for Sub-Saharan Africa and the DomTom regions. He will lead the company’s South African operations and support its growth across the continent.
Volkswagen has marked 75 years of vehicle production and sales in South Africa with a gala event in Kariega attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa, while also revealing the new Volkswagen Tengo, the third model to be built at the local plant. The Tengo will be produced for the South African and wider markets.
BAIC South Africa used the Festival of Motoring 2026 at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit to highlight both its established range and new energy vehicle ambitions. The event marked the first public appearance of ARCFOX in South Africa, alongside the unveiling of BAIC’s X55 Plug‑in Hybrid Electric Vehicle.
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You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
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BAIC South Africa used the Festival of Motoring 2026 at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit to highlight both its established range and new energy vehicle ambitions. The event marked the first public appearance of ARCFOX in South Africa, alongside the unveiling of BAIC’s X55 Plug‑in Hybrid Electric Vehicle.
When Volvo introduced the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric to South Africa in late 2021, the timing raised eyebrows. The country was enduring a severe power crisis, with loadshedding recorded on 200 days that year.
Three months after launching its off-grid, solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging network on the N3 corridor, Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) has confirmed plans to double charging capacity at both Charge hubs.
